Psalm - Psalm 13

Psalm 13:5But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 

But I have trusted, leaned on, and been confident in Your mercy and loving-kindness; my heart shall rejoice and be in high spirits in Your salvation. Psalm 13:5

But I trust in Your faithful love; my heart leaps at the thought of imminent deliverance by You. Psalm 13:5 (VOICE)

My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation; which God is the contriver, author, and giver of, and in which the glory of his perfections is so greatly displayed: and a true believer rejoices more on account that God is glorified by it than because of his own interest in it; and this joy is an inward one, it is joy in the heart, and is real and unfeigned, and is what continues, and will be felt and expressed both here and hereafter. Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

What makes my heart leap? What raises my spirits? The truth is that nothing on earth can make my heart leap—for pure joy. Oh, there are things that make me smile, and happy, but true joy comes only from God. True joy provides a constant that allows my heart to leap no matter the situation or circumstance. 

When I realize that God’s faithful love is ever-present and available to me, no matter the circumstance, or situation! God’s love is the constant that should make my heart leap! 

Think of that for a moment. God, the Creator of all, the Amazing Almighty God loves us. Can you grasp that fact? God loves me! God loves you! 

Stop and reflect on God’s amazing constant, unconditional love and then your heart will leap and your spirits will soar! 

Psalm 13 - God’s amazing constant, unconditional love

Max wants to go too!

I walked into the living room to find Max sitting on the printer. I guess he wants to make sure he gets to go to Florida too! 

I don't have "To Florida" tags on his cages. 

Silly Bird. 

Unspent Joy

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 90. Here is what I learned.

Make us glad in proportion to the days in which You have afflicted us and to the years in which we have suffered evil. Psalm 90:15 (AMP)

We have seen years of ·trouble [harm; hurt]. Now give us as ·much [many days of] joy as you gave us ·sorrow [affliction]. Psalm 90:15 (EXB)

You have spent many days afflicting us with pain and sorrow; now match those with years of unspent joy. Psalm 90:15 (VOICE)

As have been our sorrows, so let our joys be great and long. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us - Let the one correspond with the other. Let our occasions of joy be measured by the sorrows which have come upon us. As our sufferings have been great, so let our joys and triumphs be. And the years wherein we have seen evil - Affliction and sorrow. They have been continued through many wearisome years; so let the years of peace and joy be many also. Barnes' Notes

“How can you smile, when you are in pain?” That’s a phrase I like to hear. For it lets me know that I’m allowing God’s goodness to shine through. 

It’s much easier to focus on the pain and trouble, especially when you are in the very midst of it, rather than seeing God’s goodness. Yes, even in what we would call “trouble” God is at work. 

And I know that no matter how many years I live in pain (and trouble) on Earth, God has an amazing Eternity waiting for me... pain free and rejoicing and praising God! 

To create a positive day, I need to look beyond the pain and troubles of now, and rest secure that “unspent joy” will be mine for eternity! 

Counting the Blessings

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 67. Here is what I learned.

God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall reverently fear Him. Psalm 67:7 (AMP)

God is the source of our blessings; may every corner of the earth respect and revere Him. Psalm 67:7 (VOICE)

God shall bless us,.... The Holy Spirit blesses with regenerating and renewing grace; with faith, comfort, joy and peace, by shedding abroad in the heart the love of the Father and the Son; by applying precious promises; by testifying adoption; by making meet for heaven and happiness, and working up for the selfsame thing eternal glory. Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible 

God shall bless us - He shall ever be speaking good to us, and ever showering down good things upon us. Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Being blessed by God provides an overwhelming sense of peace. Since surgery, I have to say that although my body is in extreme pain, and I can’t get comfortable, I find myself smiling. For God has blessed me with not only His love, but He continues to send gifts along the way to remind me of His love and that He “knows what I like”. 

Last week, a person sent me a book which she thought I’d enjoy. Now, this person did not know I was having surgery when the book was sent, but God knew that having a new book to read would be perfect following surgery. 

The afternoon, I arrived home from my surgery, I had an email waiting telling me that I won a contest. I won a Larry Dixon Al-Anabi 2010 Champ 1:24 Autographed Top Fuel Dragster NHRA Die cast. It will look great on my Sports Wall. 

Then the past few days, my Ponder Morsels for each day have been awesome for what I needed to focus on and remember. God blessed me with truths to keep my soul refreshed. 

God blesses me in so many ways, and as I think about each blessing, I can easily smile in spite of the pain I feel. 

Counting the blessings God sends my way is not only an easy way, but it’s the best way to create a positive day! 

Take Notice of God’s Works—and Smile!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 92. Here is what I learned.

For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; at the deeds of Your hands I joyfully sing. Psalm 92:4 (AMP)

Because You, O Eternal One, thrill me with the things You have done, I will sing with joy in light of Your deeds. Psalm 92:4 (VOICE)

You made me find joy in what you have done, O Lord. I will sing joyfully about the works of your hands. Psalm 92:4 (GW)

"For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work." It was natural for the Psalmist to sing, because he was glad, and to sing unto the Lord, because his gladness was caused by a contemplation of the divine work. If we consider either creation or providence, we shall find overflowing reasons for joy; but when we come to review the work of redemption, gladness knows no bounds, but feels that she must praise the Lord with all her might. There are times when in the contemplation of redeeming love we feel that if we did not sing we must die; silence would be as horrible to us as if we were gagged by inquisitors, or stifled by murderers. "I will triumph in the works of thy hands." I cannot help it, I must and I will rejoice in the Lord, even as one who has won the victory and has divided great spoil. In the first sentence of this verse he expresses the unity of God's work, and in the second the variety of his works; in both there is reason for gladness and triumph. When God reveals his work to a man, and performs a work in his soul, he makes his heart glad most effectually, and then the natural consequence is continual praise. The Treasury of David

As I recovery from surgery, from a human stand point, there isn’t much to be glad about. I’m uncomfortable and in pain. But when I think of all that God has done, my heart rejoices and sings. When I think back over all the people I met while at the hospital, I smile. It was a joy to share smiles with each person I met. 

One lady mentioned that I was the “most positive person she’s met”. What a great compliment. But that is due to Who God is and what He is accomplishing in my life. I can choose to see God at work and praise Him for what He has done, and what He is doing, or I can choose to complain and miss out on those great opportunities to share that God is bigger than I am. 

God has made me glad, and even as I deal with the additional pain from surgery, I can smile because of God’s goodness and all He has done! To create a positive day, I need to take notice of God’s works—and smile!

The Message of My Music

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 47. Here is what I learned.

Make music to praise God. Play music for him! Make music to praise our king. Play music for him! Psalm 47:6 (GW)

Sing praises to God. Sing praises. Sing praises to our King. Sing praises. Psalm 47:6 (EXB)

Sing: to make music (in praise of God); to celebrate in song and music—give praise, sing forth praises, psalms; original meaning hum, murmur.

What is the message of my music? Am I praising God and telling of His great power and mighty works? Or am I murmuring about my troubles and pain? 

The message of my music

has an effect on those who hear it.

First, it has an effect on me. Yesterday, I found this to be true. I was doing some housecleaning, and that always increases my pain. Chores actually hurt. But, I put in my CD’s and found that the song “God is Good” by Don Moen, changed my attitude. I found myself singing along and smiling... in spite of the pain. The message of the music effected my attitude and perspective and sure made finishing the chores easier. 

Secondly, the message of my music has an effect on those around me. If all I do is murmur, complain and talk about how bad things are.... that creates a message of hopelessness and despair. That is not a very uplifting or positive message for others to hear. 

And lastly, but most importantly, the message of my music has an effect on God. On March 28, I wrote about “Praise Looks Good on You”. When we praise God, it’s looks good on us to God. I like to think of it as “making God smile”. When I’m praising God, giving Him the honor due Him, it’s pleasing to Him. 

The message of my music—praise or murmurs of complaints—both will have an effect on me, those around me, and God. The choice of the message of my music is up to me. I can choose which song to sing. I can pick one of “nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen” or I can pick one of “God is Good!” 

To create a positive day, the message of my music must be that of praise and honor to my Almighty and loving God, for then and only then, will my music effect me and those around me in a positive way. 

He’s watching. He’s listening.

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 11. Here is what I learned.

The Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord sits on his throne in heaven. He sees what people do [His eyes watch]; ·he keeps his eye on them [his gaze examines/tests people]. Psalm 11:4 (EXB)

The Lord is sitting in his sacred temple on his throne in heaven. He knows everything we do because he sees us all. Psalm 11:4 (CEV)

His eyes watch. He keeps His eye on them. He sees us all. 

Understanding the knowledge that God sees me at all times, can be both comforting and well, scary—depending on my relationship with Him, and the activity I’m involved in at any given moment. 

It’s like when we were kids. If we knew our parents were watching us, we’d behave and do as we were told. But as soon as we thought they weren’t looking..... well look out! We’d try to get away with everything from stealing the cookies out of the cookie jar to fighting with our brothers/sisters.

The knowledge that someone was watching had a direct effect on our behavior. Knowing that God is watching should be comforting in that He knows exactly what is happening in my life. However, if I’m involved in something that is sinful, than I should be fearful just in knowing that the Holy God is watching me. But this verse goes beyond just my actions. God knows my thoughts, and my motives. What am I thinking? Why am I doing what I’m doing? 

"His eyes behold," etc. Consider that God not only sees into all you do, but he sees it to that very end that he may examine and search into it. He doth not only behold you with a common and indifferent look, but with a searching, watchful, and inquisitive eye: he pries into the reasons, the motives, the ends of all your actions. Ezekiel Hopkins, D.D.

God sees all. God knows all. God in His infinite greatness sees each of us. He’s watching... what is He seeing? He’s listening to our thoughts... what is He hearing? 

God loves me with a love beyond comprehension. He gave His son to die on the cross to take the punishment for my sin. Yet, I fall short in loving God and obeying Him. Knowing that God is watching me, should have a great impact on my thoughts and actions. My desire should be to please Him and honor Him. And when I do fall short and sin, I need to confess it before God and make the necessary changes in my life so that when faced with a temptation to sin, I can resist it. 

God is watching. What am I doing? Am I living a life so that my thoughts, actions, and motives make Him smile? Or am I causing God disappointment and sadness because I’ve chosen sin?

To create a positive day is not about doing what “feels good” or doing what I want. Rather, the only way to truly create a positive day is by obeying the almighty God and making Him smile.

He’s watching. He’s listening.

Smile just waiting—Grab it!

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 43. Here is what I learned.

Why am I discouraged. Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! Psalm 43:5 (NLT)

Why ·am I so sad [are you downcast, my soul]? Why ·am I so upset [are you groaning/in an uproar]? I ·should [or will] ·put my hope in [wait for] God and ·keep praising [or will again praise] him, my ·Savior [Victor] and my God. Psalm 43:5 (EXB)

Why art thou cast down O my soul and why art thou disquieted within me hope in God for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God. Psalm 43:5 (KJV w/Strongs) 

Why: interrogative what? (including how? Why? When?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!).

Discouraged: be cast down, despairing, to sink or be depressed, be (bring) low.

Sad: to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor, be disquieted, tumultuous, be in an uproar.

Soul: living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion.

Hope: to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope -- (cause to, have, make to) hope, stay, tarry, trust, wait. 

God: Eelohim- very great, mighty.

For: assuredly, but, certainly, doubtless.

Again: a going around, continuance, still, yet, again, beside, repeatedly, still, more -- again all life long, repeat.

Praise: yield yourselves, acknowledge, give thanks, to revere or worship (with extended hands).

God: the supreme God

As his hope, his never-failing hope, v. 5. Here, as before, David quarrels with himself for his dejections and despondencies, and owns he did ill to yield to them, and that he had no reason to do so: Why art thou cast down, O my soul? He then quiets himself in the believing expectation he had of giving glory to God (Hope in God, for I shall yet praise him) and of enjoying glory with God: He is the health of my countenance and my God. That is what we cannot too much insist upon, for it is what we must live and die by. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible

It’s so easy to be discouraged and depressed. But there is a solution—praise, worship God the very source of HOPE! There’s an old saying, “Turn that frown upside down.” This verse isn’t about putting on a fake smile, but rather there is a true REASON to smile—HOPE from God.

To be honest, I don’t feel much like smiling today. I’m recovering from the spinal implant stimulator trial, my back hurts, my headache is severe, and I have more questions than answers on how to move forward. But I have a choice to make—I can wallow in my situation and have  a pity-party, or I can change my focus to God and the Hope and Joy He provides. 

Today seems like a very hard day to create a positive day, but actually, it’s easy if I change my focus to God and the hope He provides. He has a SMILE just waiting for me—and I choose to GRAB it!

You glow when you talk about it.

Throughout this year, each day of the month, I'm "Treasure Hunting" in a Psalm. I've created a "Ponder Every Morsel of Truth" Book to record the truths as I learn them. The Twenty-sixth of each Month, I'm studying Psalm 96. Here's what Treasure I found today.

“You glow when you talk about it.”
“Your face lights up.”

“Your are smiling ear to ear—literally!” 

Those were the words said to me several times over the past year. What was I talking about? Well there were two things. 1. My day in the pits at a  NASCAR race. 2. The Moore Health Ideal Weight Loss program, which helped me lose 68 lb. 

As I read Psalm 96 this morning, I had to wonder do I glow when I talk about my God? Does my face light up? Do I smile ear to ear telling about God’s amazing goodness? 

Oh sing unto Jehovah a new song: Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth. Psalm 96:1 (ASV)

Sing God a brand-new song! Earth and everyone in it, sing! Sing to God—worship God! Psalm 96:1 (MSG)

Sing: idea of strolling minstrelsy, singing as I go about.

New: that which is delightful, exquisite, precious.

Song: abstractly singing, it just flows forth.

God: of deity Yahweh.

Earth: the world itself and all that lives in/on it. 

• Do I love God so much that I sing or talk about God as I go about my day?
• Do my words or song express the delightful and preciousness of knowing God and understanding (even just a bit) of what He is capable of?
• Does praise to God simply flow out of me when I think of Who God is—Yahweh, God eternal? 

I’m not a very good singer, so I’m not sure I’ll walk around literally singing songs about God. But....What do people see and hear from me as I go about my day?

• Do they see any evidence that God is God?
• Do my actions and attitude express the preciousness of knowing the Almighty God?
• Does talking about God “just flow forth”?
• Is God in my thoughts and such a part of my life, that it’s natural to include Him in my conversations? 

“You glow when you talk about it”. “Your face lights up.” “Your are smiling ear to ear—literally!” If people would say those things to me..... in reference to my relationship with God..... that would make for a very positive day! 

Happy Halloween!

This morning after Max's shower,

his feathers were sticking straight up.

Guess Max decided he wanted to dress up for Halloween. 

The inset is Max as his cute normal self. 

When Max does silly things like this,

creating a positive day is simple!

Smile Time

What makes you smile? 

If you take a minute and think about smiling, something will come to mind and you will start smiling, and may even start giggling. It could be a joke you heard, or an incident that happened, or something silly you did. No matter what, there are certain things, which when we remember them, make us smile. 

I think it's time we schedule

"smile time" into our days. 

There is something about a smile that makes you feel good. It's been said that a smile is joy bubbling up from inside. I agree. 

The other day a friend told about her son wanting "rooster juice". She had no idea what he was talking about. So the little boy went to the frig and pointed to the Apple juice box with "Big Bird" on it. Each time I think of that I smile. How cute, Rooster Juice!

If you've been reading my blog, you know that I've been dealing with a higher than normal pain level as I had to go off my medications for a new treatment. I was finding it harder to smile, when I just wanted to cry.

God realized this and provided  something to help! I stopped at a store to buy a new pillow. However the store didn't have the pillow I wanted, but did have a VERY CUTE little Snowman! (See picture) As I passed the display I smiled, and even giggled. I continued shopping, but couldn't get that snowman out of my mind. I returned to the display and put one in my cart. "SnowCone" now sits in the living room where I can see him. Each time I look at him, I smile. I have no idea why. It could be his silly smile.

I wonder how many other times, God has provided something special to make me smile, but I was too focused on my pain, or worry, or whatever, to see it. Each day God provides exactly what I need. And that includes things to smile about. 

Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Psalm 94:19 "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

Proverbs 15:30 "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones."

"SnowCone" is a good reminder to smile. No matter what is happening, God is greater than the situation. Even if the situation seems hopeless....God provides HOPE! God loves EACH of US with an unconditional love. That fact alone makes me smile. 

Yes, there are 'bad' things in the world. But God has overcome the world to provide Hope, Love, and Eternal Life to those who believe in Him. 

If you really want to enjoy a positive day, then schedule some SMILE time. Take a moment to remember something special that makes you smile. You will feel better and your day will take on a new focus.

Creating
a positive day

is as easy
as smiling

at a silly snowman!

6 days and counting

Had to get the pre-surgery tests done today. I thought I knew where to go. But when I arrived I was told I was at the wrong place. I had a choice to make. Go back to the valet and drive down to the other area, or walk to through the hospital. I figured I'd walk. Good thing I did! When I arrived a the 'other' place, I was told I was to go to the first place. So I slowly walked back. Very glad I hadn't moved my car!
Finally, got through the registration and waited again for the tests. The actual tests took about 10 min. The entire time at the hospital....2.5 hours! I'm now back home waiting for my pain meds to kick in.
While I was at the hospital I noticed many people wandering the halls, waiting, and working. I noticed when I'd smile at someone or say hello, they were almost shocked. The more kindness I showed the more it seemed to multiply. Since you register in one area and then go to another for the testing, you see many of the same people. I noticed that the people I smiled at or greeted were doing the same thing to others in the next area.
It was interesting to see smiles and hellos spread instead of the germs we were all trying to avoid. It doesn't take much to smile at someone. Since people are at the hospital for a reason...usually not a good one....they are often sad, upset, or down. When they see a smile, or are greeted kindly, it gives them a glimmer of hope....plus it makes you feel better too.
As we were all waiting in the final waiting room, it was fun to see people greet the 'new comer" with a smiles and hellos. As the seats filled up in the waiting room, people were trying to make more room or make sure the 'needer' ones had a seat. The kindness was continuing to spread. Even the kids seemed calmer as they waited.
Looking back over this morning...it was more hectic then I had planned. But it made me more aware of others around me. I was focused on getting my tests done and getting back home to take my pain meds. But God wanted me to notice others. He knew that by making me walk around the hospital, it would make me more aware of others and what they are enduring. God knew that there were people who needed a glimmer of hope today. And God choose me to offer that hope.

Today, God changed my plans a bit to help me create a positive day for others as well as myself. Creating a positive day isn't always about you. Rather it's about sharing God's hope with others, even if it's just a smile.

What makes you smile?

I was reading a comic and started laughing. Later in the day, I thought of that comic again, and couldn't help but smile. This got me thinking. What makes me smile? Some days it doesn't take much. A funny comic, a joke, an email or note from a friend, a TV show, or Max doing something cute.
No matter what makes me smile or laugh, I always feel better afterward. If I laugh early in the day, it seems I laugh at more things throughout the day. I guess because I enjoyed laughing so much, I'm looking for things to make me laugh, so I can enjoy laughing again! Sounds silly, but it's true! Laughing in the morning, puts me in a "laughing frame of mind".
Different things make each of us smile, but we all smile at something. What would happen if instead of passing along the gossip and negative news at the water cooler and through emails, we passed along smiles and laughter? Think for a moment how you feel after you laugh or smile. Now think of giving that same feeling to others. If we all felt that good, the people with whom we interact would be happy, and kinder.
So the next time you smile or laugh, pass it on! Creating a positive day...is done one smile at a time!

To get you started:
A little girl while holding her stomach, approached her Mom saying, "Mommy my stomach hurts." Her Mom replied, "That's because it's empty, you have to put something into it!"
Later that day when the Pastor came over for dinner. The Pastor started to feel bad, holding his head, he said, "I have a terrible headache!" The little girl looked up at the Pastor giving her sweetest smile that only a child can give. Then she said, "Your head hurts, because it's empty. You have to put something in it!"

If you smiled, you've just started creating a positive day!